Monday, May 01, 2017

The Uttarakhand government has shortlisted over a dozen private aviation companies for providing chopper service to Kedarnath. The move comes after cancellation of the contract awarded to India Flysafe Aviation, owned by Congress leader Naveen Jindal, by the earlier Harish Rawat government. The contract was cancelled earlier this month and new tender was floated.

A total of 17 companies applied this time. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat said, “A total of fourteen companies have been selected. New operators will also be considered, if we receive fresh proposals. The state government will be fixing the air tariff for Kedarnath soon.”

The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority will be conducting a coordination meeting with the aviation company early next month. After checking their documents and conducting inspection of helipad, final permission will be provided to the operators.

But, as Uttarakhand government is busy making preparation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trip to Kedarnath, slated for May 3, the air service is slated to resume only after PM’s visit.
30/04/17 Raju Gusain/The Statesman